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Mopar(R) Reveals Dodge Challenger Drag Race Package Cars at the 29th Annual Mopar Mil

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#1 ·
Mopar(R) Reveals Dodge Challenger Drag Race Package Cars at the 29th Annual Mopar Mile-High Nationals



- Mopar(R) is bringing the iconic Dodge Challenger muscle car to National
Hot Road Association (NHRA) drag-racing competition
- Two Dodge Challenger Drag Race Package Car prototypes were revealed to
drag-racing fans at Mopar Mile-High Nationals
- 'Big Daddy' Don Garlits and Judy 'Miss Mighty Mopar' Lilly were behind
the wheels for the Challengers' inaugural run at Bandimere Speedway
- Based on the Challenger SRT8(R), Mopar's new race-prepped, drag-race only
Challenger will thrill a new generation of motorsports enthusiasts

CENTER LINE, Mich., July 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Mopar(R) is bringing the
iconic Dodge Challenger muscle car to National Hot Road Association (NHRA)
drag-racing competition. Mopar revealed two Dodge Challenger Drag Race
Package Cars at the 29th Annual Mopar Mile-High Nationals today before
thrilled fans at Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colo. Mopar Mile-High
Nationals is the longest-running NHRA sponsorship.

"Big Daddy" Don Garlits and Judy "Miss Mighty Mopar" Lilly were behind
the wheels for their inaugural track run. Garlits drove the car featuring
the Stone White paint scheme. Lilly was behind the wheel of the "Mopar
Liquid Metal" prototype. NHRA named Garlits the #1 driver of the Top 50
drivers from its first 50 years. His victories and accomplishments are
virtually unmatched in drag-racing history. "Miss Mighty Mopar" is one of
the female pioneers in drag racing. Spending 12 years on the NHRA circuit,
Lilly is the only female driver to win two NHRA national events in one
year.

Mopar built the first two Challenger Drag Race Package Cars for
development and testing for its new Challenger Package Car program. Based
on the Challenger SRT8(R), the prototypes were finished in Stock Eliminator
configuration. They ran successfully in June 2008 as proof-of-concept and
for NHRA certification. Mopar dropped approximately 1,000 lbs. off the
production Challenger SRT8 by eliminating major production components and
systems. To accentuate the weight savings, they also feature added
composite, polycarbonate and lightweight components designed for drag
racing that will be part of the new Package Car program.

The engine was repositioned to improve driveline angle and weight
distribution. The 116-inch wheelbase was shortened by 1/2 inch. They also
feature a front cradle with bolt-in crossmember and solid engine mounts.

"Today is a great day for Mopar, Dodge, SRT, drag racers and
motorsports enthusiasts everywhere. Not made for the streets, our
drag-race-only Challengers will be running soon in NHRA competition - the
best grassroots racing series in the world," said Sunil Lahoti, Mopar
Marketing and Brand Manager, Chrysler LLC. "And who better to drive our new
Challenger Package Cars on their inaugural track run than 'Big Daddy' and
'Miss Mighty Mopar' -- the greatest drag racer of all time and a female
pioneer of the sport."

New Dodge Challenger Drag Race Package Car Program by Mopar

The first drag-race, factory-prepped package cars built in 40 years,
the new Challenger Drag Race Package Car by Mopar builds on the heritage of
the limited-edition 1968 HEMI(R)-powered Package Cars. Those '68 Dodge
Darts and Plymouth Barracudas solidified the Mopar brand as a quarter-mile
force.

Mopar will build a minimum of 100 Challenger Drag Race Package Cars to
meet NHRA requirements. Based on the production Dodge Challenger SRT8,
Mopar's modern factory-prepped Challenger Drag Race Package Car will begin
as a special Body-in-White (BIW) from Chrysler's Brampton, Ontario, Canada
assembly plant. The body sealer, sound deadener and undercoat will be
eliminated. To reduce vehicle weight, major production component and
systems will also be eliminated including: windshield wiper assembly,
complete HVAC system, all airbag components, rear seats, power steering
system, exhaust system and underbody heat shields, cross-car and side
impact door beams, rear bumper beam and rear deck lid spoiler.

The drag racer has three engine options -- 6.1-liter or 5.7-liter HEMI
or 5.9-liter Magnum(R) Wedge -- as well as manual or automatic
transmission.

A build book/owner's manual will be provided to document the
modifications made to the Challenger SRT8 as well as provide
recommendations to finish the Package Car for Stock Eliminator competition.
To accentuate weight savings, there are unique drag-race components in the
Package Car program including: composite lift-off hood with functional
scoop, Viper-style front seats, polycarbonate door windows, lightweight
cooling module with electric fan, manual rack and pinion steering, special
cable-operated deck lid release, special lightweight front brake assembly
and special cable-operated throttle linkage and pedal assembly.

The Challenger Drag Race Package Car will be eligible to run in three
Eliminator categories -- Comp, Super Stock and Stock -- and potentially 40
classes.

Depending upon the configuration selected, the U.S. Manufacturer's
Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the Challenger Drag Race Package Car
program will range from the low to mid $30s. Each car will carry an
identification plate with sequential serial number.

The Challenger Drag Race Package Car will be available for order in
late August to early September. A toll-free number will be designated for
ordering. Details will be posted on Mopar - Authentic Performance, Accessories, Service & Parts.

Now in its fifth decade, NHRA is the world's largest motorsports
sanctioning body with 80,000 members, 140 member tracks, more than 35,000
licensed competitors and more than 5,000 member-track events. NHRA is
second only to NASCAR in terms of fan attendance.

70 Years of Mopar

When Chrysler bought Dodge in 1928, the need for a dedicated parts
manufacturer, supplier and distribution system to support the growing
enterprise led to the formation of the Chrysler Motor Parts Corporation
(CMPC) in 1929.

Originally used in the 1920s, Mopar (a simple contraction of the words
MOtor and PARts) was trademarked for a line of antifreeze products in 1937.
It was also widely used as a moniker for the CMPC. The Mopar brand made its
mark in the 1960s-the muscle car era. The Chrysler Corporation built
race-ready Dodge and Plymouth "package cars" equipped with special
high-performance parts. Mopar carried a line of "Special Parts" for super
stock drag racers and developed its racing parts division called Mopar
Performance Parts to enhance speed and handling for both road and racing
use.

Today, Chrysler LLC's Global Service & Parts division is responsible
for the manufacturing and distribution of nearly 250,000 authentic Mopar
replacement parts, components, restoration parts, accessories and
performance parts for Chrysler, Jeep(R) and Dodge vehicles sold around the
world. To assure quality, reliability and durability, all Mopar parts and
accessories are designed in strict adherence to Chrysler engineering
standards.




SOURCE Chrysler LLC
 
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#2 ·
Man that is so nice! If I could afford the srt and this I would get it if available. But I really want at leat the 6.4 in it too.

Wonder if you could buy with no power train, then you could build your own.

Also is there going to be a NASCAR version too? :eek:rangehat:
 
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